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How to Achieve Device Independence by Taking a Platform Approach to Mobility

Businesses today are often forced to choose between having their workforces use one type of mobile device that might not meet everyone's needs or several devices with rogue usage that can't be controlled. That's why it's so important for businesses to be device-independent when deploying an enterprisewide mobility initiative. Here, Knowledge Center contributor Jason Wong explains how businesses can achieve device independence and how this will benefit all parties involved in enterprise mobility deployments, including users, IT and the overall business.

In just 10 years, the wireless smartphone market has gone from virtually nonexistent to becoming a household term worldwide. At the start of the millennium, Research in Motion (RIM) was pretty much the only significant vendor selling what were then called "wireless PDAs." Today, there are no less than six major operating systems for smartphones. Currently, they account for 14 percent of overall mobile device sales, but it is expected that by 2012 they will make up about 37 percent of global handset sales.

Today, scores of smartphones are offered on the market, offering consumers and businesses a wide variety of options for both personal and enterprise needs. However, they have also presented a challenge for organizations looking to deploy enterprise-wide mobile solutions. Given all the device choices, as a business or IT executive, what are you to do?

If you have already embraced mobility for your workforce, great! However, there are a number of new smartphones coming to market at a breakneck pace that enterprises are trying to seamlessly integrate into their strategy. Conversely, many organizations have yet to implement a mobility strategy of any kind because of the daunting number and constantly evolving amount of choices on the market. How can you ensure that your investment is not obsolete by the time you deploy?